* This victory truly belongs to you the delegates and the UTM supporters who want to form government next year
* I was never the likeliest candidate for this office — we didn’t start with much support from within or many endorsements
* It was a mere wish from an ordinary member, friends and supporters who encouraged me to run
By Duncan Mlanjira
While the centre of attention prior to the elective convention was between heavyweights within the UTM national executive committee and the State Vice-President, Michael Usi, the observer public gave little attention to presidential aspirant, Dalitso Kabambe.
Michael Usi withdrew from the race, citing that several constitutional requirements were flouted ahead of the convention, and the UTM hierarchy never gave any hoot of the sulking party president, who assumed the position after the death of founder, Saulos Klaus Chilima (SKC) in the tragic plane crash on June 10, 2024.
Michael Usi withdrew in a sulking manner
Ahead of the elective convention held in Mzuzu yesterday, the observer public assumed it was a three-horse race for founding members, Patricia Kaliati, Newton Kambala and Matthews Mtumbuka — but the real outcome was a shocker.
Delegates gave Dalitso Kabambe 636 votes; beating Newton Kambala (26), Matthews Mtumbuka (22) and Patricia Kaliati (21) — a 567 majority over all other contestants combined, reflecting a just over 82% overall majority over all competitors combined.
In his victory speech, Kabambe applauded the delegates, saying: “I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to — it belongs to you the delegates and the UTM supporters who want to form government next year.
“I was never the likeliest candidate for this office; we didn’t start with much support from within or many endorsements; it was a mere wish from an ordinary member, friends and supporters who encouraged me to run.
“I am truly grateful to us all. And to those who run against me, let’s join our efforts and good ideas to form the next government.
“Great moments are born from great opportunity, and that’s what we have here tonight. That’s what UTM has earned here tonight — a real convention in which real people with the best interest of the party were competing genuinely for various positions, including four people for the presidency.
“Dr. Mtumbuka from Rumphi had the same chance as that of the secretary general, veteran engineer Kambala had the same chance for competition as new entrants like me. If you did not believe in UTM as a transformation movement then see how we’ve run our convention.
“This is the legacy SKC wanted to leave and with today’s developments, the journey to sustain the legacy begins. It is a legacy that speaks to us individuals,” he said.
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Writing on his Facebook wall on his reaction to the UTM election results, entitled; ‘Why I am surprised that you are surprised’, Alex Nkosi observed that the UTM delegate elective conference has sparked widespread debate, particularly with the unexpected election of Kabambe.
“However, if we take a closer look at the dynamics leading to this outcome, it becomes clear why Kabambe’s victory, while surprising on the surface, makes perfect sense. Here’s why I am surprised that you are surprised:
1. Patricia Kaliati: Misplaced ambition
Patricia Kaliati’s decision to run for the presidency was both bold and puzzling. As the long-serving secretary general, she had a stronghold in that role.
However, her presidential campaign failed to offer fresh or realistic solutions to Malawi’s crises. Her promise to lower fertilizer prices to K28,000, in a market where prices soar above K100,000, reminded voters of the unfulfilled promises of the Tonse Alliance.
It’s no surprise she lost — she played to her weaknesses rather than her strengths. What’s surprising is that people expected her to win with such a lackluster campaign.
2. Mathews Mtumbuka: Living in the shadow of Saulos Chilima
Mathews Mtumbuka’s campaign suffered from an identity crisis — he banked heavily on his close association with the late Dr. Saulos Chilima, but this was a flawed strategy.
He was not his own man! He ought to have articulated his own vision as a leader. While his academic qualifications and professional experience were notable, his inability to articulate clear, innovative solutions to Malawi’s challenges might have left voters/delegates unconvinced.
I am sure that voters were looking for a leader with independent ideas, not someone riding on the coattails of the party’s fallen hero. People sought a leader with fresh ideas and a distinct personality.
Thus, his inability to step out of Chilima’s shadow and present a compelling vision for Malawi left him exposed. If his entire campaign was built on ‘I was Chilima’s close friend’, why are we surprised that he lost? People wanted to hear Matthews Mtumbuka’s solutions, not Chilima’s echo.
3. Newton Kambala: The uninspiring and mundane businessman
His long-standing narrative as a businessman uninterested in the top job worked against him. His mundane personality and lack of charisma were significant drawbacks.
In a political climate that demands visionary leadership, his inability to energize or inspire the electorate left him out of the race. If his campaign lacked fire, why are people surprised that voters looked elsewhere for leadership?
4. Dalitso Kabambe: The pragmatic economist
Now, here’s where the real surprise lies — or doesn’t. Dr. Dalitso Kabambe entered the race as a former Reserve Bank Governor, who brought a wealth of expertise in economic policy, which resonated with delegates amid Malawi’s severe economic challenges.
At a time when Malawi is grappling with its worst economic crisis which has left the populace hurting, I think Kabambe’s focus on pragmatic, evidence-based economic policies resonated deeply with the electorate.
While his public speaking skills may not dazzle, his ability to present clear, practical solutions to Malawi’s economic woes set him apart. Voters are desperate for stability and competence, and Kabambe offered just that.
Kabambe’s outsider status may have also worked in his favour, presenting him as a fresh alternative untainted by past political failures.
Why are we surprised that a technocrat with solutions won in a crisis-ridden context?
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Key takeaways
1. Delegates prioritised substance over personality: With Malawi facing dire economic challenges, the election results indicate a shift towards pragmatic leadership focused on solutions rather than political rhetoric;
2. Experience within the party was not a guarantee of success: Kabambe’s victory underscores that voters are open to new faces if they bring fresh ideas and expertise;
3. The surprise surrounding Kabambe’s victory seems to stem from an overestimation of party loyalty and underestimation of voters’ priorities. UTM delegates were not interested in recycling old faces or empty rhetoric; they wanted someone who could address the immediate economic challenges head-on. Kabambe, despite being an outsider, fit the bill.
4. UTM’s future trajectory will depend heavily on Kabambe’s ability to deliver as a party leader. He needs to unite and energise the party! While his economic policies resonated during the campaign, the real challenge will be to build a team that can help him sell his vision to the grassroots!
“This election was not about personality or long-standing loyalty to the party,” concludes Nkosi. “It was about solutions. Delegates made a rational choice by electing a candidate who could speak to Malawi’s most pressing needs.
“So, while many are surprised by the outcome, I’m surprised that they didn’t see it coming.”
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One of the country’s revered technocrat, Cuthbert Kachale, who is referred to as Mzee on Hardtalker forums, observed that all the four UTM contestants “have their strong points, however UTM as a body politic has spoken”.
He went on to say: “Hearty congratulations to Hardtalker Dr. Dalitso Kabambe. People see a great future in you for the party and possibly for the country as a whole come September 16, 2025.
“A 567 majority over all other contestants combined, reflecting a just over 82% overall majority over all competitors combined is no mean feat — UTM is bigger than anyone.
“UTM has spoken and have put trust into the hands of Hardtalker Dr. Dalitso Kabambe, an economist and a seasoned technocrat, having been the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi.
“This trust in Dr Kabambe should never be taken for granted — it comes with a cost and great aspirations and great expectations for the future. The economy of the country is in shambles and the plight of the common man is in dire straits.
“Now that the UTM has pulled out of the betrayed and failed Tonse Alliance and joined the opposition ranks, UTM is likely to grow into a well focussed, well programmed force to team up with others to bring down the corrupt, rotten, manipulating and misgoverning MCP, which has not only lost direction but the trust of the people as a whole.
“The struggle for a better governed Malawi is expected to intensify with a strong UTM now as they push forward SKC’s legacy which has become the national dream of the many, if not the majority, of well-wishing Malawians.
“While the Commission of lnquiry on the Chikangawa plane crash is going on, much is needed to ensure that it goes uninhibited or torpedoed altogether. I don’t trust this Government.
“Hardtalker Dr. Dalitso Kabambe kindly take your election victory as a position of trust by the people, not only within the UTM but outside as well and even those outside our borders.
“Malawi needs and must transform — hence the nationally based United Transformation Movement. It is not just a party but a MOVEMENT.
“Wishing UTM and their newly-elected president in Dr. Dalitso Kabambe all the success and the heavens blessing for a new beginning after the long period of bereavement. God takes, God replaces.”
In his congratulatory message on Facebook, UDF’s Atupele Muluzi wished UTM’s new leadership every success as the continue to build on the legacy of late SKC: “Your efforts will undoubtedly contribute to the development of our nation — wishing you all the best in this new chapter of leadership.”
Meanwhile, in his victory speech, Kabambe paid tribute to UTM followers and people surrounding Chikangawa Forest who brave the coldest nights of June 10 in search of crashed plane that carried their leader, SKC.
“Whatever we do, we must never forget that our leader was left in the cold the whole night abandoned by people he worked so hard to help them get power,” he said. “In memory of that fallen hero, our first assignment will be to erect a memorial tower at Nkhunga and hotel facilities to serve those who shall continue to pay homage to our fallen giant RT Hon Saulos Klaus Chilima.
“We will then embark on a mega afforestation program to create a green economy the size created by Sir. Godfrey Colby, add 40,000 housing units to curb the housing deficit in Mzuzu, on top of building the SKC international conference centre in Mzuzu.
“As a UTM, we will transform the way Capital Hill works beginning with the national budget by transferring implementation of programs to districts and federal regions.
“More important, a host of unemployed citizens face the grim problem of existence, and an equally great number toil with little return. Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment.
“Our greatest primary task is to put people to work — thus each and every member of UTM to work towards victory in 2025. This is not unsolvable problem if we face it wisely and courageously.
“There are many ways in which it can be helped, but it can never be helped merely by talking about it. We must act and act quickly — and we will act with the help of everyone of the UTM members, with or without any portfolio, because ours is a Transformative Movement.”
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